Along with the adjoining Sharpham estate, the garden forms part of a grade II* listed landscape.
With no immediate neighbours or busy roads, Avenue Cottage is a peaceful and tranquil location. Guests are encouraged to enjoy the garden whenever they like. It is only a 15-minute drive from Totnes and a 10-minute walk from the village of Ashprington where the Durant Arms offers good food.
The house occupies a splendid site at the head of a small valley running down towards the River Dart. Originally it was merely an open fronted thatched garden room for Sharpham House. There was a pair of tiny gardener’s cottages tacked onto the back. It was probably visited by Launcelot ‘Capability’ Brown as part of the original 18th century landscape, which is now listed as Grade II* by English Heritage. The 18th Century landscape consisted of a 3-mile internal carriage drive round the estate. The cottage was one of the features on this drive.
Avenue Cottage is named after the avenue of Turkey Oak (Quercus cerris) that was planted in 1844 by Squire Durant who had bought the estate in 1840. After a disastrous fire in 1953 the cottage was rebuilt with a tiled roof on a square plan without the garden room, and was substantially enlarged in 1980.
There is ample parking space for guests.
“The house and garden and the big and comfortable sleeping rooms are wonderful. Richard was very friendly and served us the best breakfast on our tour.”